Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved particular success in the early and mid-1970s with their most critically acclaimed records including Wishbone Ash (1970), Argus (1972), There's the Rub (1974) and New England (1976).

Although the band lacked a definitive vocalist like Roger Daltrey (The Who), Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) or Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), they were famous for popularising the twin lead guitar.

Wishbone Ash are considered to be the major innovators of the harmony twin lead guitar format. Their pioneering and original sounds have influenced many to follow, including the Eagles (Hotel California), Steely Dan (Reelin' in the Years), Thin Lizzy (The Boys Are Back In Town) and Lynyrd Skynyrd (Freebird).

These attributes resulted in Powell and Turner being voted "Two Of The Ten Most Important Guitarists In Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989), and part of the "Top 20 Guitarists Of All Time" (Rolling Stone magazine). Melody Maker (1972) described Ted Turner and Andy Powell as "the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced the Yardbirds".

Formed in Devon in 1969 out of the ashes of the group The Empty Vessels, which had featured Wishbone Ash's founding members Martin Turner (bass/vocals) and Steve Upton (drums and percussion), the original line-up was completed by guitarists/vocalists Andy Powell and Ted Turner. In 1974 Ted Turner left the band and was replaced by Laurie Wisefield. The band continued on with strong critical and commercial success, until 1980 when co-founder and co-frontman Martin Turner left the band.

After revolving line-ups featuring former members from King Crimson, Trapeze and Uriah Heep, Laurie Wisefield quit in 1985. In 1987 however, the original line-up reunited for a several albums,"Nouveau Calls", "Here to Hear", and "Strange Affair" until 1990, when Steve Upton quit the band. After Martin Turner was replaced in 1991, the band recorded "Live In Chicago" then Ted Turner quit in 1993, Andy Powell decided to form a new version of the band, where Powell would operate Wishbone Ash as a personal business venture and employ musicians on a session basis, rather than the band as a group.

Since 1995, the band have continued with mixed critical and commercial success again frequently changing members on studio albums. In 2004, Martin Turner formed his own version of Wishbone Ash, and tour

From Wikipedia

The Band